The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on Sunday.

The Kings (25-24) have been middling over recent weeks, as they are 9-9 across their last 18 games. While that's nothing to be discouraged by, it's definitely a regression after an incredible start. Many experts had this team pegged to finish with one of the worst records in the NBA but this stretch proves they're here to stay. What's really promising about this club is all the young talent they possess, as they have one of the best young cores in the NBA. Players like De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic have taken major strides this season and it has them in fantastic positioning for the future. That doesn't even consider players like Marvin Bagley and Willie Cauley-Stein, as that frontcourt has the talent to be one of the best in the league.

The Clippers (27-22) come into this matchup winning three of their last four games, as that snapped an ugly five-game slide. The wins and losses directly correlate with their competition, with the wins coming against teams like the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat while the losses have come at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz. That says a lot about where this team is at right now, as they're a good team but simply can't beat the elite. That's what happens when you build a roster through role players and it seems very likely that this team has overachieved thus far. Players like Lou Williams and Tobias Harris are playing spectacularly right now and they need more of that from those two if they are to remain in playoff contention for the final two months.

Los Angeles has prevailed in both their games over Sacramento this season, with both games being extremely high-scoring. The Clippers have now won 10 of their last 11 games over the Kings and 28 of their last 33 games over them in total.